Becoming a certified aviation maintenance technician requires meeting FAA experience and education requirements, then passing written, oral, and practical exams.
An Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) is an FAA-certificated professional authorized to inspect, repair, and maintain aircraft and their components. The AMT certificate, commonly known as the A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) license, is issued under 14 CFR Part 65 and requires a combination of approved training or work experience followed by written, oral, and practical examinations.
An aviation maintenance technician is responsible for keeping aircraft in airworthy condition. AMTs perform inspections, troubleshooting, repairs, and component replacements on aircraft structures, engines, avionics, hydraulic systems, landing gear, and flight controls. Every commercial and private aircraft must be maintained by or under the supervision of certificated AMTs — it is a legal requirement under federal aviation regulations.
The FAA issues two ratings under the AMT certificate:
Most technicians earn both ratings simultaneously, becoming an A&P mechanic. Holding both ratings qualifies you to perform maintenance on virtually any part of an aircraft and opens the widest range of employment opportunities.
AMTs work in diverse environments including commercial airlines, regional carriers, general aviation FBOs (fixed-base operators), MRO (maintenance, repair, and overhaul) facilities, corporate flight departments, and military contractor organizations. The work is physically demanding and often requires shift work, but the career offers strong job security due to the ongoing shortage of qualified technicians.
To start preparing for the knowledge tests, practice with our AMT FAA Rules Safety Procedures and Documentation Questions and Answers quiz.
The FAA outlines specific eligibility requirements for the aviation maintenance technician certificate in 14 CFR Part 65, Subpart D. You must meet one of the following experience pathways:
Pathway 1 — FAA Part 147 Approved School:
Pathway 2 — Practical Experience:
Pathway 3 — Military Experience:
Additional Requirements:
Earning your AMT certificate requires passing three types of examinations for each rating (Airframe and Powerplant). If you are pursuing both ratings, you will take a total of seven exams: one General written test (shared), plus written, oral, and practical exams for each rating.
Written Knowledge Tests:
All written tests require a minimum score of 70% to pass. Tests are administered at FAA-authorized testing centers (PSI or similar). Results are valid for 24 months — you must complete all remaining tests within that window.
Oral and Practical Tests:
After passing the written tests, you schedule oral and practical exams with a Designated Mechanic Examiner (DME). These tests evaluate hands-on competency:
The examiner selects topics from each subject area in the PTS. You cannot predict exactly which tasks will be tested, so comprehensive preparation is essential. Practice with our AMT Hydraulic and Pneumatic Systems Questions and Answers quiz for one of the most commonly tested Airframe subjects.
Attending an FAA Part 147 approved school is the most common pathway to the AMT certificate. Here is what to know when choosing a training program:
Program Duration and Structure:
What to Look for in a Program:
Cost:
Tuition for Part 147 programs ranges from $15,000 to $40,000 depending on the institution. Community colleges tend to be the most affordable option, while private aviation schools charge premium tuition. Federal financial aid (Pell grants, student loans) is available at accredited institutions. Some airlines and MRO companies offer tuition assistance or apprenticeship programs that cover training costs in exchange for a work commitment.
Through an FAA Part 147 approved school, the combined Airframe and Powerplant program takes 18-24 months. Through the experience pathway, you need 30 months (3,800 hours) of documented practical experience for both ratings. After meeting eligibility requirements, you must also pass written, oral, and practical exams, which typically adds 1-3 months to the timeline.
They refer to the same certification. AMT (Aviation Maintenance Technician) is the official FAA term for the certificate holder. A&P (Airframe and Powerplant) refers to the two ratings on the AMT certificate. When someone says "A&P mechanic," they mean an AMT who holds both the Airframe and Powerplant ratings — which is the most common configuration since most technicians pursue both ratings.
Yes. Military aircraft maintenance experience can qualify you to take the FAA AMT exams, but the process requires documentation. You need a letter from your commanding officer or military records detailing your specific maintenance experience, hours, and aircraft types. Your local FSDO reviews the documentation to determine if it meets the scope and duration requirements. Many veterans also attend a short AMT refresher course to prepare for the civilian FAA exams.
You need a minimum score of 70% on each written knowledge test. The General test has 60 questions, while the Airframe and Powerplant tests each have 100 questions. A 70% score means 42 correct on General, or 70 correct on Airframe/Powerplant. Written test results are valid for 24 months — you must complete all remaining exams within that window.
The AMT certificate itself does not expire — once issued, it remains valid for life. However, to exercise the privileges of the certificate, you must have performed maintenance work or supervision within the preceding 6 months. If you have not worked as an AMT for more than 6 months, you are not authorized to perform maintenance until you re-establish recent experience, though the certificate itself remains valid.